Equivalent Exchange

[Ben]

Around five thirty in the morning Shara woke and streched and then looked around. Narea was laying around in Al's lap. Shara smiled and tiptoed across the room and out the door. Quiwtly she closed the door most of the way, but not allthe way so she could get back in and creapt out of the barracks completely and found a nice spot out of view.

About a half hour later, just as the sun was comming up Shara slipped back through the door and did her best to close it quietly. She was in her normal clothes again, but clean and refreshed. Narea looked up from where she lay and got up. She leapt out of Al's lap and streched out and then raced over to Shara and leapt up onto the girl's shoulder.

Shara crossed over to the bed and made it so it looked like it'd never been selpt on. She sat on the chest at the foot of the bed and burried her nose into her father's book. Her eyes speeding over the pages while she waited for Ed to wake up.

[Evoth]

Edward squirmed in his bed. Tossing and turning. He made small noises as he did so. "Al that's my biscuit!" he was talking in his sleep again. Dreaming about food once again. It seemed like that's all his world revolved around at the moment. Alphonse 'awoke' when he heard his name being called. He turned around to find it was his brother. He let out a small sigh and turned back.

Out of the corner of his 'eye' he saw a figure moving. Alphonse turned to it quickly. It was only Shara. He had forgotten that she was here. "Good morning." he said in a chipper mood. Edward shot up from his bed. His eyes still still half closed, a small trail of drooling came from his mouth. He let out a long yawn and stretched. "What's with all the noise?"

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Edward got out of bed and looked at the pair. It had seemed he had slept in again. Alphonse laughed, "You were dreaming of food this time." Ed rubbed the back of his neck and gave an embrassed laugh. Usually it was just Al in the room but today was different.

[Ben]

When Ed started talking about food she couldn't help but giggle at his sleep talking. She noticed that Al was up aswell and then closed her book and stuck it in her pocket. When Ed sat up she smiled softly, Ed reminded her of Eve, her older sister.

When Ed rubbed the back of his neck Shara sighed softly. "You do that too much Ed." She said softly and stood up and noticed that Ed's hair was in a terrible state. She smirked and braided her hair quickly and then walked over to Ed.

Quickly she un-did his messy braid and re-braided it and then walked to the middle of the room and stood there quietly her fingers running over her dagger's sheath. She smiled softly and then rolled her seleeves up and looked over her shoulder at Ed.

[Evoth]

"Do what?" He asked, completely oblivious to his own habit. His mind was still a bit groggy. But he made due. He watched Shara braid her. When she was done she began to walk towards him. Ed took a step back. What was she planning on doing. She grabbed his hair and untied it from its braid. With great care she fixed back into a decent state.

"Thank you." he replied at her generosity. Ed grabbed it and inspected it. "Wow she did a better job then you do." Said Alphonse. Edward gripped the braid and gave Al a cross look. Alphonse immediately withdrew.

There came a low rumble. "It looks like I had that dream for a reason." Edward turned to Shara, "What do you say we grab some breakfest real quick?" He was hoping she would say yes. Alphonse already had his hand on the door as if to say he was ready to go.

[Ben]

She was deep in thought and when she caught Al's comment she smiled and then when she heard Ed's stomach grumble lightly she nodded while Ed was talking about getting something to eat. She crossed over to the bed and slipped her boots on and joined Al at the door.

In a quiet whisper she said "Thanks for the comment." She said. When they finaly got down to the mess hall she got some food and sat down with Ed, being around table fulls of State Alchemists dressed in blue made her go quiet and stiff.

She knew if anything went wrong in here, anything at all. With all of these people here she'd be in safe hands, but there'd be complete havoc if Sorrow managed to show up. Sorrow would proudly announce he was going after the stones in her automail to everyone and then run off when he got all of the millitary dogs pointing guns and alchemy in his direction.

[Evoth]

Edward grabbed a tray full food and made his way to the table Shara and Alphonse sat at. He sat himself across from Shara and looked down at his tray with eyes filled with delight. Eggs, bacon, toast, and sausage litered his plate. Lust was in his eyes.

He dove into his food. Eating it as if it were about to be taken away. "Ed you're going to choak if you keep eating like that." Edward slowed down and looked at his brother and laughed. "No I won't Al. You know me better then that."

"But you will if you continue." Came a voice from behind Ed. Edward tilted head back to see Lt. Hughs behind him, "Hiya Ed, long time no see." Edward nearly fell over at his words. It had only been yesterday since they had seen him, "Hey, want to see my daughter's photo?"

Alphonse laughed, "You just showed them to us yesterday." Hughs smiled, "I know, but isn't she just the cutest angel?" He leaned in and whispered to Ed, "Who's that, your girlfriend?" Edward's eyes opened up wide, "SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!" he yelled. Everyone in the dining hall turned towards him. Ed let out a nervous laugh and sunk back into his seat with a groan. Lt. Hughs laughed at his reaction. The one he wanted.

[Ben]

Shara ate slower than Ed, her nervousness cutting her appetite in half. She looked up from her food to see Ed scarfing his food down as fast as he could get it into his mouth. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye and watched Hughs show Ed his daughter's picture.

When he mentioned that she was Ed's girl friend she sighed softly and continued eating while the entire mess hall looked at Ed. After Lt. Hughs started laughing she smirked and finished her toast. She got up and stood on her toes and puffed her chest out. She walked around the table and stood next to the man.

Her blue eyes sparkled and she smiled sweetly. "Sir, I'm not his girlfriend, but if you ask nicely I might take you out on a date" She said loudly batting her eyes at him. She glanced up at him innocently without moving her head. Her hands held behind her back, like a solider at ease. She knew some about the military, it just happened to be that her sister Eve was in the military.

[Evoth]

Ed's mouth dropped open after he heard the comment she made. Hughs was a happily married man with a daughter. Plus he was too old for. It was awkward for Alphonse to witness this, let alone for those around to hear what was said.

Lt. Hughs looked down at Shara and laughed, "Sure thing miss. But I think my wife would kill me." he joked, "But I think you should stick to guys more of your age. Like Ed." A small chuckle emitted from his chest. Hughs was trying to pull his chain, "He's one of our better known State Alchemists."

Hughs turned his attention towards Elric Brothers, "Speaking of State Alchemists. The trails to become one is coming up soon. I think that you should come and see the new talent." Edward reached into his pocket and pulled out his watch he recieved when he passed the exams. It only seemed yesterday that he had taken it.

Ed gave half a smile, "I think we'll just do that Lt. Hughs." Alphonse nodded in reponse, Shara you don't mind if we take a break before your training starts do you?"

[Ben]

When Lt. Hughs turned her down politely she smiled and walked back to the other side fo the table and sat down and finished off her food. She slitened to Hughs talk about her goign out with Ed and she shook her head softly. She knew thet Ed'd have too much on his mind to take her on a date.

When Hughs mentioned the Trials Her head snapped up and she rubbed her neck when it cracked. "oww..." She mutterd softly and then a mischevious glint came to her eye. She waited untill Ed was finished speaking and looked up at Hughs. "Do you happen to know if the Rouge Alchemist is here sir?" The Rouge Alchemist was her sister's name in the military.

She waited for a bit to hear Huhgs anwser and then turned her eyes to Ed. "I don't mind if we take a break before my training Ed. Infact lets just postpone it and start tomarow." She said and stood up. she drew a transmutation circle on the table, set her tray in the middle and after the glow dissapated she left the spotless tray on the table. "Common Ed!" she said softly and walked out of the mess hall. She waited for Ed just outside the door.

[Evoth]

"Go with her Al." Said Edward. Alphonse did what his brother said and followed Shara outside. Ed moved his tray aside and looked at Lt. Hughs, "That's Shara Philton. I found her wondering out in the rain last night." Ed didn't know if he should tell Hughs about the humunculus. Not everyone in the military could be trusted. But there was something different about Hughs. Maybe his care free attitude. Edward didn't know, "She was attacked by a humunculus named Sorrow."

Lt. Hughs eyes seemed to shallow out. A humunculus in Central wasn't something to take likely. "Ed," said Hughs firmly, "keep an eye on her and make sure nothing happens to her. If those creatures are after her then we're all at risk." The Lt. paused for a moment, "Her sister is the Rouge Alchemist, Eve Philton. She'll be interested in hearing that her sister is here in Central." Hughs patted Edward on the shoulder, "See you at the trails."

With that Lt. Hughs left Ed by himself. Edward scoffed and tranmuted his tray into some salt and pepper shakers and left the Dining Hall. He left and found Shara and Alphonse waiting for him, "Come on let's go. Hughs said the trails will start today."

[Ben]

Shara looked up from what she was doing when Al walked out. She smiled and then went back to work. She was writing in her father's book, noting a few things and writing down what she'd learned so far. When Ed appeard and told her that the trials started that day she sighed.

She put her book away and walked with Ed. "Do you know if it's possible for me to try out?" She asked looking at him thoughtfully. He had goteen in at a young age hadn't he? Was it even possible someone her age could do that? Was it even possible that Eve was here?

She sighed softly and bowed her head as they walked. She was deep in thought when they arrived at the first trial. She looked up and gently bit down on her sore lower lip.

[Evoth]

"Of course it's possible for you to try out." Said Ed. He just didn't know if she had the knowledge needed to pass the first test, "If you want to make it you'll need to hurry up and get inside. They have a written test to take first." They stood before a great stone building with massive columns holding up the structure.

Entering the building revealed dozens of people wanting to become a State Alchemist. They were all waiting for the tests to be passed out. "Now remember," Said Alphonse quietly, "this is the first test. The second tests your skill of performing alchemy. Just try your best and don't let your nerves get the best of you." Edward patted Shara on the back, "Good luck!"

[Ben]

Shara nodded and walked over to a palce on the top row of seats where she sat and waited patiently. When the tests were passed out Shara put her mind to work and anwserd the questions as carefuly as she could. When she finaly finished she put her pencil down with a sigh and then left when the collected the tests and said they could go.

Instantly her midn turned to the next test. She smiled and took out her pencil and paused where she wouldn't be seen and drew transmutation circles on the plams of her gloves. She tucked the pnecil away and walked out to Ed and Al. "Bring on the second trail." She said with a smirk.

[Evoth]

"You're getting ahead of yourself I see." Edward pushed his hand through his hair, "First we have to see if you passed the first trail." He put his arm around her and poked her, "I'll tell you what. I'll go check out your score while Al takes you to the second trail." It seems the Ed had full confidence in her. More confidence then he had with himself when he took the test. "Al, take her there."

"All right, follow me then." Said Alphonse. He lead her through the large crowds of central. Passing dozens of people and taking many side roads Al managed to lead her to an open area with in the city. Before them stood a small lush forest. It would strike anyone odd at first. The forest was conjured through the magic of alchemy. The area was relatively deserted; the second trail had yet to begin. "Here we are."

Edward sat and waited in the exam hall waiting for the graders to finish their job. He watched as the pile of failed exams piled higher and higher. Ed gulped, "It looks like there isn't going to be many at the next trail." Finally they had finished. Ed recieved a list of names of those that passed. "Only five names...." He scaned down the list, "She did it. SHE DID IT!" Ed cheered and jumped in the air. With all the speed he could gather Ed raced through Central to find Shara and Alphonse.

[Ben]

When Ed told her that she was thinking ahead of herself she nodded. When Al led her off she followed him without protest or hesitation. When they finaly made it to the forest she smiled and thought hard. What was she to do if she had passed the first test? She really wasn't ready to show anybody what little she could do.

She sighed softly and looked at her feet. When she felt a caot abeing put over her shoulders she looked up and turned around. "EVE!" Standing behind her, dressed in the military blue outfit stood her sister. Shara smiled and hugged her sister. Eve smiled and held Shara by the shoulders. "I only now got the word that you'd shown up here with Full Metal." Eve said.

Eve stood six feet, with short brown hair and brown eyes. She looked nothing like Shara, but they were sisters. When Shara stepped back and sighed softly, Eve pressed a rolled up piece of paper into her sister's hand. Shara un-rolled it and studed it. She nodded and hande it back to Eve. "I'll try..." Shara said softly.

Eve nodded and ruffled her sister's hair. "I have to get back to work now, but I'm sure you'll pass." Eve said and started walking off. She called over her shoulder "And don't mess up my coat!" she called back to Shara. "I wont!" Shara said and then smiled up at Al. When she heard Ed, she waited and when she heard the good news she jumped around a bit and then hugged Al, knowing that her tight bear hug wouldn't hurt him.

(I've been thinking about this all day and this is going to be intresting.)

Shara waited nervously for her turn to do the second trial. When her turn came she strode out to one of the biggest trees she chould find and drew a circle. She had made sure she had her black gloves on so people wouldn't be claiming that she was using the stone. She wore her sister's coat with pride. When she'd made the circle and took a deep breath.

She placed her hand on the circle and the tree grew and began taking on the shape of a coiled snake and then the branches grew into the head of a dragon. Shara concentrated and the statue soldified and began to take on extremely good detail and color. When at last it was fully made Shara smiled to herself and then sank to her knees and drew a ciracle in the drit with her finger and pressed her hands aginst it. It erupted in blue light and the dragon she had made lifted its head and looked over the croud before ti fell still.

Shara got to her feet and walked out of the woods, sweat coverd her forehead and beneath the coat her legs shook, but she remained on her feet and didn't let her exsaustion show. She walked over to Ed and Al and smiled softly to them. "Behold the Dragon" she said loudly"of rumor and legend!"

She walked over to where Hughs and Roy were standing and talekd to them "I could do much more, but I chose not to use what horrible gift I was given. I used what knowledge I have aquired over the past few years and what you see before you is the end result. I shall show you more if I pass." She nodded to them and walked off, her sister's coat swirling about her ankles.

Shara walked over to where Eve was standing. Eve knew from the look of Shara that she was tired. Eve smied softly and put an arm around Shara's shoulders. "You did wonderfuly." She said and smiled. "I'm sure you passed." Eve added and then worry came to her features as Shara leaned aginst her for support. "I'm tired." Shara said oh so softly and fell asleep against Eve, standing up.

Eve gently shhok Shara and woke her up and whisperd to her. Eve's voice was soft, but stern. Another lesson that Shara had yet to learn.

"When all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through"

Shara nodded and pulled her sister's coat tighter around her. She walked back over to Ed and Al. "Is there anything else I should know Ed?" She asked her eyes half closed.

"That I'm going to rip you to peices!" Bellowed a voice. Heads shot up and around to see Sorrow standing there a grin on his face. He had his sword drawn. Shara twitched, suddenly over come by anger. "You Bastard!" She sanpped out and turned around, the viens in her neck standing out. Sorrow paused and then got a supprised look as Shara clapped her hands together.

Sorrow backed off hastilty and then made a run for it even as Shara put her hands down the ground. The ground shook and then erupted beneath Sorrow's feet, flinging him high into the air. Sorrow completely abandon his sword and landed with a thud and took off, only to be tripped and held down by the dragon Shara had made not even five minutes ago.

Shara strode across the grounds and over to him. The dragon kept a tight grip on him. Even if it wasn't real, it could still do damage. "You will never get far with me on your tail Homunculi." Shara stated heatedly. The anger in her eyes was reflected by Sorrow's own. "i will take the philosopher's stones from you Shara." Sprrpw managed to bark out before Shara's fit hit him straight on. Sorrow staid still for a few minutes and watched as Shara shook and then collapsed. The dragon turned to leaves and Sorrow snatched up his sword. Racing off with incredible speed.

Eve watched the whole thing with a look of horor on her face. A homunculi walking straight into a crowd of alchemists, her own sister making an earthquake and animating the dragon. It was all too much for her to understand. When Shara finally collapsed Eve raced over and rolled Shara over on her back. "What did you do?" Eve asked in a whisper. She picked Shara up and walekd off towards the barracks.

((Sorry! I just got so bored waiting for you...))